Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 252: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, arising from the recent report of the Data Protection Commissioner, he has legislative proposals to address the various issues including privacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14754/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The position is that the law on the protection of personal data is contained in the Data Protection Acts, 1988 and 2003. These Acts give effect both to the Council of Europe convention for the protection of individuals with regard to automatic processing of personal data and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and the Council on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.

The European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 2003, SI No. 535 of 2003, made by the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, give effect to Directive 2002/58/EC of the European Parliament and the Council concerning the processing of personal data and protection of privacy in the electronic communications sector.

While the Government legislation programme does not provide for legislative proposals on the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003, operation of the law in this area is kept under review in my Department.